International Applicants

Join a welcoming & diverse educational community.

Thrive at Worcester State.

Worcester State University is a community of problem-solvers and challenge-accepters from across the state and around the world. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, the second largest city in New England, Worcester State offers:

Rigorous academic programs in 95+ majors and minors
Endless opportunities to pursue your passion with MajorPlus
Dedicated faculty ready to help you create your path and launch an exciting career
Hands-on opportunities for research and internships
Lifelong friendships in one of the 45 clubs and student organizations
Cultural enrichment and entertainment at one of the city’s many arts venues, restaurants and festivals

To learn more about how Worcester State can benefit you, visit the At a Glance page.

International Undergraduate Students

Experience all that Worcester State has to offer. The International Programs Office is ready to assist you when you become a part of Worcester State’s community of international students.

International Graduate Students

If you have graduated from a college or university outside of the United States and are interested in earning an advanced degree or certificate from a university in the United States, join one of Worcester State’s 30+ graduate-level programs. You will be joining graduate students from countries like China, India, and Kenya.

Important Application Information

An international applicant is anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, is not a U.S. permanent resident, and has/is requesting a non-immigrant visa or status. Priority review will be given to international applicants who submit all required documentation prior to April 1 for the fall semester (September entrance).
First-Year & Transfer Student Applicants
Application for Undergraduate Admissions and $50 fee
International Student Applicants Guide
Official high school transcript or national exam scores
Notarized translation is needed if your transcripts/documents are not in English
Official evaluation of high school transcript by a professional evaluation service such as: Scholaro, The Center for Educational Documentation, World Education Services, The Evaluation Company*, or Josef & Silny & Assocates, Inc.
*The Evaluation Company has created a custom application for Worcester State University that will ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access the evaluation application here: The Evaluation Company – Worcester State University
TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, DAAD, EIKEN, Duolingo, or iTEP Score Report if education was in a language other than English (Worcester State Code: 3524)
SAT or ACT Score Report (Worcester State SAT Code: 3524 or Worcester State ACT Code: 1914) (Note: Worcester State offers a test-optional admission policy)
Original bank letter or statement verifying sponsor’s financial information
Affidavit of Financial Support Form
Waiver of Confidential Information (optional)
Additional Documents for Transfer Students
Official college/university transcript(s)
Course-by-course evaluation of college/university transcripts by a professional evaluation service such as: Scholaro, The Center for Educational Documentation, World Education Services, The Evaluation Company, or Josef & Silny & Assocates, Inc.
Submission of college/university course descriptions or syllabi from previously attended institutions may also be required for the purpose of performing a transfer credit evaluation
Worcester State is a selective institution looking for students who have attempted a rigorous academic curriculum. All applicants must meet the following criteria
Adequate test of English language proficiency: This is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. It can be accomplished by submitting results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (iBt 79) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (minimum required score: 6.5).
Additional accepted English proficiency exams: Duolingo Test (minimum required score: 100), Pearson PTE (minimum required score: 50), DAAD (minimum required score: B2), EIKEN (minimum required score: Pre-1), and iTEP (minimum required score: 3.5).
* Applicants who have received an Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university are not required to submit an English proficiency exam.
Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average: Worcester State requires a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA from the last institution you attended.
International students are eligible for a merit scholarship up to $18,000 USD ($2,250 per semester for up to eight semesters or upon completion of your degree). Students are automatically considered for a merit scholarship as part of the admissions process and awarding is based on your academic credentials. However, there are no need-based scholarships or financial aid for international students.
Additional renewal criteria include:
Minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.5 and continued good academic standing as a member of the campus community
Full-time undergraduate day-school enrollment, including enrollment in 12 or more day school undergraduate credits, each semester
Residency classification as out-of-state for tuition purposes
While the International Programs Office will follow up with accepted students regarding the I-20 process, in addition to the academic program requirements and the Worcester State University Graduate School’s general admission process, international applicants must submit the following:
An online application and $50 USD application fee
GRE, MAT, MTEL, or GMAT score report, depending on the program
Official college or university transcript(s) for each institution attended
Official evaluation of previously earned foreign degrees by a professional evaluation service such as: The Center for Educational Documentation, World Education Services, or Josef & Silny & Associates, Inc.
English translation of transcripts if yours are not in English
Official course-by-course evaluation of ALL college/university transcript(s)
TOEFL (79+), Duolingo (100+), Pearson PTE (59+), iTEP (4.0+) or IELTS (6.5+) score report if education was in a language other than English
The need for an English proficiency exam is waived for students who complete the Bridge to University program in the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) here at Worcester State with the successful completion of one or two graduate-level courses, along with a letter of recommendation from IELI faculty
Waiver of Confidential Information Form (optional)

International Undergraduate Admission Deadline

No international applicants will be considered for the spring (January entrance) unless: You are currently enrolled in an ESL program in the U.S.* You are currently attending a U.S. college or university.* You currently have a visa status that legally allows you to change to F-1. You were accepted for a previous semester, but deferred attendance due to being refused a visa. *If you are an international student who has attended another college or university in the United States, you must forward a copy of your F-1 visa and current I-20 with your application.

All necessary documents for undergraduate admission must be submitted by:

Fall Semester (September entrance) April 1, Nursing and Occupational Studies (fall only) January 15 - firm

Join the Worcester State community today!

Frequently Asked Questions

No, international students cannot study part-time. In fact, studying part-time is considered a serious violation of F-1 status.
U.S. immigration law requires international students to enroll in classes full-time. To be considered full-time, undergraduate students must be registered for a minimum of 12 credits per semester (fall and spring semesters).
F-1 international students are also limited to one online class per semester.
F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus ONLY for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (fall and spring semesters). International students may work more than the allotted 20 hours per week on-campus when school is not in session or during the annual vacation period.
Off-campus employment is not permitted. Not complying with these guidelines for on-campus employment may be a violation of status that could result in the F-1 student having to leave the United States.
Students will receive a Form I-20 once they:
Complete the application process by the appropriate deadline
Are academically acceptable to the university and are issued an official letter of acceptance signed by the Director of Admissions.
Submit adequate financial documentation, including the Affidavit of Financial Support.
Pay the enrollment deposit.
Once the International Programs Office is notified by Admissions that these requirements have been satisfied, a member of the International Programs staff will reach out to you.

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